TW201819155A - Joining device and method for joining strips to form a tire component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining device for joining a trailing end of a first strip to a leading end of a second strip to form a tire component, wherein the joining device comprises a support member with a support surface and a retaining member with a retaining surface for retaining the second strip, wherein the joining device is arranged for positioning the leading end of the second strip in a joining orientation in which said leading end is closer to the support plane than the rest, wherein the joining device comprises a control unit for controlling a relative movement between the support member and the retaining member with a first component in a placement direction to place the leading end of the second strip and a second component in a joining direction to bring the leading end of the second strip into contact with the trailing end of the first strip.

Description

Bonding device and method for forming tire element by bonding tape

The present invention relates to a joining device and a method for forming a tire element using a joining tape.

WO2011 / 099846A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a tire from a spliced strip, wherein the first strip is cut and placed on a discharge conveyor. After cutting the first tape, the second tape is cut and placed on the unloading conveyor. Then, the first band and the second band are spliced. When cutting the first strip and placing the second strip between the unloading conveyors, the second strip is temporarily placed above the unloading conveyor, and the first strip end and the second strip end for splicing are measured The distance between the protrusions, and based on the aforementioned measurement distance, the first band moves relative to the second band, one end of the first band is set in a proper position relative to the second band, and then the second band moves again Set on the unloading conveyor.

The above method can accurately join the first belt and the second belt along the transport direction of the unloading conveyor. However, unavoidable tolerances can arise between the unloading conveyor and the holder holding the second belt. In the height direction, it is not unusual to form tolerances up to 0.5 millimeters (mm). Since some strips are only about a few centimeters high, the tolerances formed cannot be tolerated. In addition, if the strips are joined by a so-called "slant splicing", the misalignment of the first strip and the overlapping second strip on the discharge conveyor will cause the sharp edges of the strips at the joints to protrude, as shown in the figure 18 shown. The aforementioned protruding edge may cause deformation of the tire layer covering the surface later.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a tire element by a bonding tape of a bonding device, which can improve the quality of bonding.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides a joining device for joining a tail end of a first tape to a front end of a second tape to form a tire element, wherein the joining device includes: one having a supporting surface; A support element for supporting the first strip and the second strip with respect to the bonding line at the support planes of the first strip position and the second strip position; and The second strip is retained on a retaining plane extending above the support plane, wherein the retaining element is configured to retain the second strip on the retaining plane, and the front end is parallel to the retaining plane The protruding direction protrudes from the retaining element to the first strip position by a first protruding distance; wherein the engaging device is configured to position the front end of the second strip in the engaging orientation and make the front end more than the second strip. Other parts of the belt are closer to the support plane; wherein the joint device includes a control unit for controlling relative movement between the support element and the retaining element; wherein the relative movement includes: A first element in the setting direction of the support plane for setting the front end of the second strip in a joint orientation and making it contact the support plane; and along a joint direction crossing the joint line and parallel to the support plane A second element is used for driving the front end of the second strip to contact the tail end of the first strip in the joint orientation.

Because the front end of the second strip is obliquely contacted, the support surface can deflect and / or deform the front end compared to the second strip remaining in other parts of the retaining element. In particular, the front end may be bent upward slightly toward the top surface of the first strip. Therefore, the retaining element can make the front end and the supporting surface form a non-tolerant abutment, so the engagement of the front end with any protruding front end of the second strip can be independent or substantially non-tolerant relative to the retaining element. Therefore, even if the retaining elements have different heights due to formation tolerances, the second strip can still approach or abut the top surface of the first strip.

In a preferred embodiment, the bonding device further includes a biasing element for biasing the front end of the second strip toward the supporting element with respect to other portions of the second strip. The deflection element ensures that only the front end of the second strip contacts the support element first, regardless of the retention element and its tolerance.

In a further embodiment, the deflection element can move in a deflection direction that crosses or is perpendicular to the retaining plane and enters a deflection position, and at least a part of the deflection element in the deflection position protrudes from the retention plane toward the support plane. By the deflection element protruding toward the support plane from the retaining plane, the deflection element can cause the front end to deviate from its original position on the retaining plane.

Preferably, the deflection element is offset and moved into the deflection position; wherein the deflection element is moved relative to the aforementioned offset in a withdrawal direction relative to the deflection direction and enters a flush position, and the bias is in the flush position The element is flush or substantially flush with the retention plane. The biasing element, which is different from a fixed setting or an active driving, is biased to return the biasing element when an appropriate pressure is applied to squeeze the front end toward the supporting element. Therefore, the front end is not deformed or squeezed between the deflection element and the support element.

Alternatively, the engaging device further includes a deflection actuator that can be operated to be combined with the deflection element to actively drive the deflection element to move in the deflection direction. The deflection actuator can accurately control the position of the deflection element.

In another preferred embodiment, if the front end of the second strip is in a joint orientation, the retaining plane extends parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane. Therefore, when the extension of other parts of the second strip is retained on the retention plane of the retention plane, parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane, the front end of the second strip may be disposed to extend below the retention plane. This means that compared to the front end, the distance between the entirety of the second strip and the support plane remains constant or substantially constant.

Alternatively, the retaining element may be positioned at an oblique engagement position where the retaining plane extends at an oblique engagement angle relative to the support plane and descends toward the joint line. In this alternative embodiment, the oblique orientation may cause the front end of the second strip to be closer to the support plane than other portions of the second strip.

Preferably, the control unit is firstly used to control the relative movement along the setting direction, so as to set the front end of the second strip in the joining direction and contact the support plane; and secondly to control the movement along the joining direction. The relative movement causes the front end of the second strip to contact the tail end of the first strip at the joint orientation. Therefore, the bonding device of the present invention can be biased toward the front end of the second strip to align it with the support plane, and there is no tolerance with the first strip, so that the first strip and the second strip can be reduced. Gap between.

If the retaining plane extends at an oblique joint angle, the control unit can simultaneously control the relative movement along the setting direction and the joint direction, and move the retaining element along the oblique joint path at the oblique joint angle. Therefore, the gap between the first strip and the second strip can be reduced along the aforementioned oblique joint angle.

Preferably, the oblique joint angle is between 2 ° and 6 °, preferably between 2 ° and 5 °; more preferably between 3 ° and 4 °. The aforementioned joint angle is suitable for obtaining deformation at the front end of the second strip, and there is no tolerance or substantially no tolerance.

Similarly, if the retaining plane exhibits the oblique joint angle, the retaining element at the joint position may preferably be spaced a minimum height from the joint plane, so that the second strip is in contact with the support plane. Therefore, the triangle formed by the oblique joint angle, the first protruding distance, and the first height should be appropriately configured so that the second strip contacts the support plane when the retaining element is in the joint position.

In addition, if the retaining plane exhibits the oblique joint angle when the retaining plane is in position, the retaining element may preferably be moved from the joining position into a setting position; wherein the retaining plane extends parallel to the setting position or substantially parallel to the supporting plane. . Therefore, the front end of the second tape is brought into contact with the tail end of the first tape only by moving the retaining element from the joining position into the setting position.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to move the retaining element from the joining position to the setting position only after the front end of the second strip contacts the tail end of the first strip. Once the front end contacts the rear end, it is difficult for a deviation to occur between the two ends. Therefore, the movement from the joining position to the setting position does not affect the quality of the joining.

In another embodiment, the front end of the second strip and the tail end of the first strip include: complementary oblique end faces respectively extending below the same or substantially the same oblique angle with respect to the support plane and the retaining plane; wherein The relative movement between the retaining element and the supporting element is used to offset the front end by the protruding distance with respect to the supporting surface and enter the joint orientation, in which the first band and the second band The complementary oblique end faces of the belt are parallel or substantially parallel. Therefore, the second strip can be driven to have the same orientation as the first strip.

In a preferred embodiment, the second strip includes a top surface, wherein the oblique end surface corresponds to the top surface to form a leading edge; wherein the retaining element is used to retain the leading edge of the second strip from the retention. The component protrudes along the protruding direction by a first protruding distance. Therefore, the leading edge protrudes farthest from the retaining element.

In a further embodiment, the second strip includes a bottom surface; wherein the oblique end surface corresponds to the bottom surface to form a concave edge; wherein the retaining element is used to retain the concave edge of the second strip from the retaining element along the The protruding direction protrudes by a second protruding distance. Therefore, when the retaining element contacts the support surface at a second protruding distance, the aforementioned concave edge on the bottom surface can be biased. If the front end is not fixed and / or can freely protrude from the retaining element, the normal external force applied by the support plane to the second strip may be applied to the aforementioned recessed edge position. Therefore, the front end can be more easily deflected and deformed toward the first strip.

In general, the first protruding distance is preferably at least 2 mm; preferably, at least 5 mm; more preferably, at least 10 mm.

Trends in the tire manufacturing industry show that the strips used for tire carcass layers are becoming thinner. Carcass layers with a thickness of less than 1 mm are not uncommon. The aforementioned protruding distance can sufficiently deform the front end of the second strip relative to other parts of the second strip retained on the retaining element.

With reference to the embodiment in which the second protruding distance is disclosed, the second protruding distance is preferably at least 1 mm; preferably, at least 3 mm; more preferably, at least 7 mm. By setting the protruding distance, it can be ensured that the front end of the second strip can be arbitrarily deflected and / or deformed when contacting the support plane in the setting direction with respect to the other portion of the second strip retained in the retaining element .

Generally speaking, it is preferred that the supporting element is movable relative to the retaining element in the joining direction, or the retaining element is movable relative to the supporting element in the joining direction. It is only necessary that one of the retaining element and the supporting element is movable, and the other can stay in the same position, so that the gap between the first strip and the second strip is reduced.

A second embodiment of the present invention provides a method for joining a trailing end of a first tape and a leading end of a second tape to form a tire element, wherein the method includes: providing a supporting element having a supporting surface, And supporting the first strip at a supporting plane of the supporting surface at the position of the first strip on one side of the bonding line; providing a retaining element having a retaining surface, and the supporting plane on the other side of the bonding line A retaining plane extending at the position of the second strip so that the second strip is retained on the retaining plane; wherein the second strip is retained on the retaining plane and its front end is directed from the retaining element in a direction parallel to the retaining plane; The position of the first strip protrudes by a first protrusion distance; the front end of the second strip is positioned in the joint orientation, and the front end is closer to the support than the other parts of the second band in the joint orientation. A plane; and controlling the relative movement between the supporting element and the retaining element); wherein the relative movement includes: a first element along a setting direction perpendicular to the supporting plane, used to join the side Setting the front end of the second strip in contact with the support plane; and a second element along a joining direction that crosses the bonding line and parallel to the support plane, for driving the front end of the second strip to the The engagement orientation touches the trailing end of the first band. The advantages of the foregoing methods are not described in detail below.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises: biasing the front end of the second strip relative to the other parts of the second strip toward the support element.

In a further embodiment, if the front end of the second strip is in a joint orientation, the retaining plane extends parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane.

Preferably, the method further comprises: first controlling the relative movement along the setting direction, so as to set the front end of the second strip in the joining direction and contacting the support plane; secondly controlling the relative movement along the joining direction, The front end of the second strip is brought into contact with the tail end of the first strip at the joint orientation.

In an alternative embodiment, the retaining element is positioned at an oblique joining position where the retaining plane extends at an oblique joining angle relative to the support plane and descends toward the joining line.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: simultaneously controlling the relative movement along the setting direction and the joining direction, and moving the retaining element along an oblique joining path at the oblique joining angle.

The various embodiments and technical features described in this specification can be individually used for any appropriate purpose. Individual implementation patterns, especially the implementation patterns and technical features disclosed in the subsidiary items, can also be the subject of patent division.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1-4 disclose the bonding device 3 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention using a method to bond, squeeze, and splice a first strip 1 and a second strip 2 to form a side view of a tire element.

Preferably, the tire element is a breaker ply or a body ply for preparing a green tire or a non-vulcanized tire. The first strip includes a strip body 10 having a top surface 11; a bottom surface 12; a tail end 13; and an oblique end surface 14 corresponding to the bottom surface 12 at a first oblique angle B1 to form a trailing edge 15. The second strip includes a belt body 20; a top surface 21; a bottom surface 22; a front end 21; and a beveled end surface 24 at a second oblique angle B2 corresponding to the top surface 21 and the bottom surface 22, respectively, forming a front缘 25 and a concave edge 26. The oblique angles B1, B2 of the strips 1, 2 are the same or substantially the same as each other. The belts 10 and 20 are generally made of a non-vulcanized tire, a green tire, and / or a sticky elastomeric material, and can be easily adhered. For the buffer layer, the strips 1 and 2 include embedded reinforcement cords, preferably steel reinforcement cords. The joining device 3 is used to join, squeeze, or splice the trailing end 13 of the first strip 1 and the leading end 23 of the second strip 2 with their respective oblique end faces 14, 24 to form a so-called "slant splicing" .

As shown in FIG. 1, the joining device 3 includes a supporting element 4 having a supporting surface 40, such as a platform or a transporter. Preferably, the supporting surface 40 is a planar supporting surface 40 for the first strip position P1. The support plane S and the second strip position P2 support the first strip 1 and the second strip 2 with respect to the bonding line L, respectively. The joining device 3 further includes a retaining element 5 having a retaining surface 50, such as a gripper or other suitable robot arm; preferably, the retaining surface 40 is a flat retaining surface 40 for the second strip. The retaining plane R, where the belt position P2 extends above the support plane S, retains the second strip 2. The retaining element 5 is provided with a retaining member 51, preferably a vacuum retaining member or a magnetic retaining member, for retaining the second strip 2 on the retaining surface 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the joint device is used for positioning the front end 23 of the second strip 2 in the joint orientation, and the front end 23 is closer to the support plane S than the other parts of the second band 2 in the joint orientation; The foregoing component relationships are described in detail below.

The retaining element 5 is positioned relative to the supporting element 4 by one or a series of mechanical elements (not disclosed), for example, using a mechanical guide, a robot arm, a manipulator, or an approximation thereof. It is difficult for the mechanical elements to avoid tolerances when positioning the retaining element 5 relative to the supporting element 4. The aforementioned tolerance is schematically disclosed in FIG. 2. As a positive or auxiliary tolerance T, a minimum height H of the plane R is retained on the support plane S.

In order to solve the problem of producing the tolerance T, the joining device 3 is provided with a biasing element 7 for biasing the front end 23 of the second strip 2 toward the supporting element 4 relative to other parts of the second strip 2. The deflection element can move in a deflection direction F that crosses or is perpendicular to the retaining plane R, and enters a deflection position, as shown in FIG. 1; at the deflection position, at least a part of the deflection element 7 faces the support plane S from the The retention plane R protrudes or protrudes below the retention plane R. In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the biasing element 7 is shifted into the biasing position by a biasing element 8. The biasing element may be a spring or an elastic engaging element. Therefore, the deflection element 7 moves relative to the aforementioned offset in a withdrawal direction relative to the deflection direction F, and enters a flush position, as shown in FIG. 4. In the flush position, the deflection element 7 and the reserved plane R is flush or substantially flush.

By deviating to the front end 23 of the second strip 2, the front end is closer to the support plane S relative to other parts of the second strip 2. As shown in FIG. 2, if the front end 23 of the second strip 2 that is biased is then placed on the support surface 40 of the support plane S, at least a part of the front end is biased to be aligned with the rear end 13 of the first strip 1. The other parts of the second strip 2 are still retained on the retaining element 5 on the support plane S, and the front end is relatively accurately and firmly disposed on the supporting plane S without forming the tolerance of the retaining element 5.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the engaging device may be provided with a movable holder 9 for pressing and / or fixing the position of the tail end 13 of the first strip 1 to or relative to the support. The support surface 40 of the element 4. The holder 9 is in a non-fixed state in FIG. 1, and the holder 9 is in a fixed state in FIG. 2. Depending on whether the holder 9 is supported independently or relative to the retaining element 5, the holder 9 can be used to squeeze the first strip 1, and the holder can be placed on the first strip in a direction parallel to the joint direction J Move up.

The engagement device 3 provides a relative movement M between the support element 4 and the retaining element 5. The relative movement M includes: a first element M1 along a setting direction K perpendicular to the support plane S for setting the front end 23 of the second strip 2 in contact with the support plane S and contacting the support plane S ; And a second element M2 along the joining direction J of the joining line L across or obliquely, for driving the front end 23 of the second band 2 to contact the first band 1 in the joining direction. Of the tail end 13.

In this exemplary embodiment, the joint direction J is parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane S. The setting direction K is perpendicular to the support plane S. The first element M2 and the second element M2 of the relative movement M may be, for example, moving the setting element 4 relative to the retaining element 5 or moving the retaining element 5 relative to the setting element 4.

The bonding device 3 is further provided with a control unit 6 operatively or electrically connected to the supporting element 4 and / or the retaining element 5 for controlling the relative movement M in the bonding direction J and the setting direction K. The first element M2 and the second element M2.

The aforementioned bonding device 3 implements the bonding method of the trailing end 13 of the first strip 1 and the leading end 23 of a second strip 2, which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 1 shows a state where the retaining element 5 is positioned on the support plane S and the second strip 2 is retained there. The retaining element 5 is located at a height relative to the supporting element 4, so that the second strip 2 is located on the second strip position P2 instead of the supporting plane S. The support element 4 of the first strip 1 disposed on the first strip position P1 is located on the other side of the bonding line L relative to the second strip position P2. The deflected element 7 is located in the deflected position, so that the front end 23 of the second strip 2 is deflected into the joint orientation.

FIG. 2 discloses that after the first element M1 that controls the relative movement M between the retaining element 5 and the supporting element 4 in the setting direction K, the front end 23 that is biased approaches, contacts, and deviates toward the supporting surface of the supporting element 4 40. The aforementioned deviation with respect to the support surface 40 allows the front end 23 of the second strip 2 to be flush with the tail end 13 of the first strip 1 before joining. Specifically, the oblique end faces 14, 24 of the strips 1, 2 are parallel or substantially parallel to each other; and / or, the bottom surface 22 of the second strip 2 at the front end 23 is forced into parallel or substantially parallel The orientation of the support plane S. In FIG. 2, there is still a gap between the first strip 2 and the second strip 2.

FIG. 3 discloses that after the first element M2 that controls the relative movement M between the retaining element 5 and the supporting element 4 in the joining direction J, the gap between the first end 1 and the front end 23 of the second strip 2 can be reduced. . The retaining element 5 retains other parts of the second strip 2 above the support plane S and is separated from it.

FIG. 4 reveals that by providing further relative movement between the retaining element 5 and the supporting element 4 and controlling other parts of the second strip 2 to be fixed in the setting direction K until the bottom surface 22 of the second strip 2 is fixed to The state of the support surface 40 of the support element 4 on the support plane S. In addition, the second strip 2 can be simply placed by canceling the retaining function of the retaining member 51.

FIG. 7 discloses the bonding device 3 of the first embodiment of the present invention in more detail, and is not limited by the foregoing disclosure of the more general bonding device 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the deflection element 7 may be provided with: a main body 70; and an extension 71 extending from the main body 70 to the retaining element 5 to minimize a distance between the deflection element 7 and the retaining member 51. . In particular, the portion of the second strip 2 between the biasing element 7 and the retaining member 51 that is not retained can be kept to a minimum. Here, preferably, the retaining element 5 is further provided with a recessed portion 52 for receiving the extending portion 71 of the biasing element 7 so as to be as close to the retaining element 51 as possible. In this exemplary embodiment, a bending portion 72 is provided on one side of the deflecting element 7 away from the retaining element 5, so that at least a part of the front end 23 of the second strip 2 is deflected upward and the front end 23 is in contact. The support surface.

FIG. 7 further reveals that the biasing element 8 serves as an elastically compressible contact point 80, such as a ball or a bushing, as a substitute for the spring 8 shown in FIGS. 1-4. The offset element 8 is preferably supported or disposed on the retaining element 5. Therefore, the offset element 8 is used to offset the deflection element 7 relative to the retention element 5.

FIG. 7 further reveals that the holder 9 is supported or disposed on the retaining element 5 and thus can be used to move along with the retaining element 5 in the joint direction J. The holder 9 has a contact surface 90 that is slightly convex and has minimal contact with the first strip. The contact surface can be minimized so that the contact surface 90 has a minimum friction when sliding with the retaining element 5 on the first strip.

It can be further known from FIG. 7 that the angle A and the deviation caused by the protruding distances D1 and D2 are very small. In reality, the strips 1, 2 are only a few centimeters thick and have a very small deflection, such as less than 1 mm, which is sufficient to ensure that the front end 23 of the second strip 2 contacts the support surface, and the other parts of the second strip 2 are not Touch the support surface. Therefore, Figs. 1-4 show the effect of the present invention, and the offset is exaggerated; Fig. 7 shows a more realistic offset.

5 and 6 illustrate another joining device 103 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The bonding device 103 of this embodiment is different from the aforementioned bonding device 3, and this embodiment actively controls the deflection element. Specifically, the engaging device 103 includes a deflection actuator operatively combined with the deflection element for actively driving the deflection element 107 along the deflection direction F at the flush position of FIG. 5 and the deflection position of FIG. 6. Between moves.

8-11 further illustrate another joining device 203 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The bonding device 203 of this embodiment is different from the aforementioned bonding devices 1, 103 and includes a replacement retaining element 205 and no deflection element. In contrast, the front end 23 of the second strip 2 can arbitrarily protrude from the replacement retaining element 205 by a first protruding distance D1 in the protruding direction E. The replacement retaining element 205 can be positioned at a joining position, as shown in FIG. 8, at which the retaining plane R extends above the second strip position P2 and is smaller than the supporting line S relative to the supporting plane S toward the joining line L. Miter angle A decreases. The joint angle A is slightly exaggerated in the figure to clearly disclose the present invention. In practice, the joint angle A is preferably between 2 ° and 6 °; preferably, between 2 ° and 5 °; more preferably, between 3 ° and 4 °. There is a gap between the replacement retaining element 205 and the bonding line L, and therefore there is a gap between the rear end 13 of the first strip 1 and the front end 23 of the second strip 2 in the bonding direction J. The replacement retaining element 205 has a gap between the supporting surface 40 and the supporting surface 40 along the setting direction K, so the second strip 2 is separated from the supporting surface 40, has a gap, or is not in contact.

The first protruding distance D1, measured from the leading edge 25 to the replacement retaining element 205, is at least 2 mm; preferably, at least 5 mm; more preferably, at least 10 mm. The freely extending portion of the second strip 2 can be deformed relative to the second strip 2 by remaining in the other portion of the replacement retaining element 205 with a first protruding distance D1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the front end 23 of the second strip 2 can protrude freely, and the recessed edge 26 on the bottom surface 22 protruding from the replacement retaining element 205 along or parallel to the protruding direction E with a second protruding distance D2 As defined. The second protruding distance D2 is preferably at least 1 mm; preferably, at least 3 mm; more preferably, at least 7 mm.

FIG. 9 reveals that the replacement retaining element 205 is lowered along the setting direction K, so that the low point of the replacement retaining element 205 is separated from the supporting surface 40 by a minimum height H. Preferably, the minimum height H and the heights of the strips 1, 2 are the same or substantially the same. The aforementioned height can be obtained by automatically measuring the thickness of only one of the strips 1, 2 or manually inputted into the control unit 6. At the aforementioned minimum height H, the front end 23 of the second strip 2 may arbitrarily protrude toward or along the support surface 40 at the miter angle A. In particular, the contact of the second strip 2 with the support surface 40 allows the front end 23 to be parallel or substantially parallel to the support surface 40 along the beveled end surfaces 14, 24 of the first and second strips 1 and 2 The parallel directions are deflected to produce a first protruding distance D1.

In other words, the replacement retaining element 205 is used to maintain the protruding front end 23 to be smaller than the engagement angle A, so that the concave edge 26 of the bottom surface 22 of the second strip 2 contacts the second protrusion distance D2 from the replacement retaining element 205 The support surface 40. Due to the aforementioned contact, any protruding front end 23 of the second strip 2 can be deformed or deflected on the support plane 40 and aligned with the first strip 1 or toward the top surface 11 of the first strip 1. Therefore, the leading edge 25 of the second strip 2 is aligned, close to, or flush with the top surface 11 of the first strip 1 and is not limited by the minimum height H defined by the replacement retaining element 205. Therefore, the minimum height H of the arbitrary protruding front end 23 of the second strip 2 on the replacement retaining element 205 does not cause a tolerance T.

The first protruding distance D1 and / or the second protruding distance D2 can be preset or manually entered into the control unit 6, so the movement of the replacement retaining element 205 can consider the first protruding distance D1 and / or the second protruding Set to distance D2.

FIG. 10 reveals the relative movement between the supporting element 4 and the replacement retaining element 205 in the joint direction J, so as to drive the front end 23 of the second strip 2 and the rear end 13 of the first strip 1 to form the miter angle A contact. During this relative movement, the replacement retaining element 205 stays in the engaged position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The control unit 6 is used to move the supporting element 4 and the relative retaining element 205 relative to each other in the joint direction J until the alternative retaining element 205 on the retaining plane R is located at the first protruding distance D1 or slightly shorter than This first strip 1 (for example, a few centimeters shorter). The adhesive material of the band body 20 at the front end 23 of the second band 2 can be adhered at the leading edge 25 to the adhesive material of the band body 10 at the rear end 13 of the first band 1.

Due to the deformation of the front end 23 of the second strip 2 protruding freely, as shown in FIG. 9, the oblique end face 24 of the second strip 2 in FIG. 10 is pressed toward the oblique end face 14 of the first strip 1, and the The two oblique end faces 14, 24 are substantially parallel. The adhesive material of the band body 20 at the front end 23 of the second band 2 can be adhered at the leading edge 25 to the adhesive material of the band body 10 at the rear end 13 of the first band 1. As shown in FIG. 10 and disclosed in detail in FIG. 19, the front end 25 of the second strip 2 is close to or flush with the top surface of the first strip 1, compared with the prior art shown in FIG. 18. Any residual height difference between the strips 1, 2 may be smoother and / or not protruding. In particular, unlike the prior art of "tilted stitching" in FIG. 18, there is no case where the sharp leading edge 25 protrudes beyond the first band 1 in this embodiment.

FIG. 11 reveals that the replacement retaining element 205 moves from the joint position into a setting position where the retaining plane R extends parallel to or substantially parallel to the support plane S. As shown in FIG. 10, after the leading edge 25 of the second strip 2 comes into contact with the rear end 13 of the first strip 1, the control unit 6 is used to move the replacement retaining element 205.

Alternatively, the second strip 2 can be simply released from the replacement retaining element 205 at the joint position, as shown in FIG. 10, thereby allowing the second strip 2 to fall from the replacement retention element 205 by gravity. On the supporting surface 40 of the supporting element 4. An advantage of the aforementioned method of dropping by gravity is that the replacement retaining element 205 can be maintained at the same engagement position during the implementation of the foregoing method. If the distance to the support surface 40 is relatively small, for example, only a few centimeters, the quality of the joint will not be adversely affected after being dropped.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show another alternative joining device 203 according to the alternative method of Embodiment 4 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8-11.

The method of Embodiment 4 of the present invention is different from the foregoing method only in that the relative movement between the support element 4 and the replacement retaining element 205 is to move the replacement retention element 205 relative to the support at an oblique joint angle A along the joint path G. The plane S is relatively moved toward the first strip position P1. Therefore, the replacement retaining element 205 moves simultaneously with a first element M1 in the joining direction J, and moves simultaneously with a second element M2 in the setting direction K. As shown in FIG. 13, the replacement retaining element 205 moves along the oblique engagement path G into the same position as that of FIG. 10. The aforementioned bonding method can complete the subsequent steps by the same method as in FIG. 11.

14-17 show another alternative joining device 203 according to the alternative method of Embodiment 5 of the present invention shown in Figs. 8-11.

The method used in Embodiment 5 of the present invention is different from the foregoing method only in that the alternative bonding device 203 is used to bond, squeeze, or splice a first strip 101 and a second strip 102. These strips The belt has straight end faces 114, 124 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the top faces 111, 121 and / or the bottom faces 112, 122. Therefore, instead of forming a "tilted splice" as disclosed in Figure 1-13, Embodiment 5 of the present invention forms a "butt splicing". Similar to the previous embodiment, the method of embodiment 5 of the present invention reveals that the replacement retaining element 205 is inclined relative to the support plane S along the oblique joint angle A, and the front end 123 protrudes from the replacement retaining element 205 by a protruding distance D, and the protruding distance D The front end 123 of the second strip 102 can be deformed or / and deflected on the support surface 40, which is substantially the same as the previous embodiment. In particular, the straight end surfaces 114, 124 are parallel or substantially parallel to the joint line L. Those skilled in the art will know that the same joining method as the joining devices 1, 103 of Figs. 1-7 can be applied to this embodiment.

Therefore, if the bonding devices 1, 103, 203 of FIG. 1-13 are used to bond the strips 101, 102 of FIG. 14-17, the same effect can be obtained.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the foregoing description is used to disclose the implementation of the preferred embodiment, rather than to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can implement various transformations within the scope of the present invention by using the foregoing description.

In summary, the present invention relates to a joining device for joining a trailing end of a first belt and a leading end of a second belt to form a tire element, wherein the joining device includes: a support having a supporting surface Element; a retaining element having one of the retaining faces for retaining the second tape, wherein the joining device is arranged to position the front end of the second tape in the joining orientation and make the front end closer to the support than the other parts A plane; wherein the bonding device includes a control unit for setting the front end of the second strip by a first element in a setting direction, and driving the second strip by a second element in a bonding direction; The front end contacts the rear end of the first strip for controlling relative movement between the supporting element and the retaining element.

1‧‧‧ the first band

10‧‧‧Band

11‧‧‧Top

12‧‧‧ underside

13‧‧‧ tail

14‧‧‧ oblique end face

15‧‧‧ trailing edge

2‧‧‧ second strip

20‧‧‧Band

21‧‧‧Top

22‧‧‧ underside

23‧‧‧Front

24‧‧‧ oblique end face

25‧‧‧ Leading edge

26‧‧‧ Concave edge

3‧‧‧Joint device

4‧‧‧ support element

40‧‧‧ support surface

5‧‧‧ Reserved components

50‧‧‧ Reserved

51‧‧‧ Reserved

52‧‧‧ Recess

6‧‧‧Control unit

7‧‧‧ biasing element

70‧‧‧ main body

71‧‧‧ extension

72‧‧‧ Bend

8‧‧‧ Offset element

80‧‧‧ contact point

9‧‧‧ holder

90‧‧‧ contact surface

101‧‧‧The first band

102‧‧‧Second Band

111‧‧‧Top

112‧‧‧ underside

113‧‧‧ tail

114‧‧‧Straight face

121‧‧‧Top

122‧‧‧ Underside

123‧‧‧Front

124‧‧‧Straight face

103‧‧‧ Replacement splicing device

107‧‧‧ alternative biasing element

108‧‧‧ bias actuator

203‧‧‧Another alternative joining device

205‧‧‧Replacement reserved components

A‧‧‧Joint Angle

B1‧‧‧First bevel

B2‧‧‧Second bevel

D‧‧‧ protruding distance

D1‧‧‧First protruding distance

D2‧‧‧Second protruding distance

E‧‧‧ protruding direction

F‧‧‧ biased

G‧‧‧Join Path

H‧‧‧Minimal height

J‧‧‧joining direction

K‧‧‧ set direction

L‧‧‧ bonding wire

M‧‧‧ relative movement

M1‧‧‧First component

M2‧‧‧Second component

P1‧‧‧First strip position

P2‧‧‧Second strip position

R‧‧‧ Reserved Plane

S‧‧‧ support plane

T‧‧‧Tolerance

Figures 1-4 disclose a side view of a joining device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention that uses a method to join a strip and form a tire element. 5-6 disclose another side view of another joining device of embodiment 2 of the present invention for joining a strip and forming a tire element using another method. Fig. 7 discloses a side view of the joining device of Figs. 1-4. 8-11 disclose another side view of another joining device of Embodiment 3 of the present invention for joining a strip and forming a tire element using another method. Figures 12-13 disclose side views of the bonding device according to Figures 8-11 of another embodiment of the present invention using a different method to join the strips and form a tire element. 14-17 disclose side views of another embodiment of the joining device according to Figs. 8-11 of the present invention, which uses a different method to join the strips and form a tire element. FIG. 18 illustrates the oblique stitching formed by the prior art bonding method. FIG. 19 illustrates the oblique stitching formed by the joining method of the present invention.

Claims (25)

A joining device (3, 103, 203) for joining the trailing end (13, 113) of a first tape (1, 101) and the leading end (23, 123) of a second tape (2, 102) To form a tire element; wherein the engaging device (3, 103, 203) includes a supporting element (4) having a supporting surface (40) for a first strip position (P1) and a second A support plane (S) of the strip position (P2) supports the first strip (1, 101) and the second strip (2, 102) with respect to a bonding line (L), respectively, and has a retaining surface (50) a retaining element (5, 205) for retaining the second strip (2) at a retaining plane (R) extending from the second strip position (P2) above the support plane (S) (102); wherein the retaining element (5, 205) is provided for retaining the second strip (2, 102) on the retaining surface (R), and the front end (23, 123) is parallel to the retaining plane (R) A protruding direction (E) protrudes from the retaining element (5, 205) toward the first strip position (P1) by a first protruding distance (D1); wherein the engaging device (3, 103, 203) It is provided for positioning the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in an engaging position and the front end (23, 123) The other parts of the second strip (2, 102) are closer to the support plane (S); wherein the joining device (3, 103, 203) includes a control unit (6) for controlling the support element (4) ) And a relative movement (M) between the retaining element (5, 205); wherein the relative movement (M) includes: a first element along a setting direction (K) perpendicular to the support plane (S) (M1) for setting the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) at the joint orientation and contacting the support plane (S); and crossing the joint line (L) and a second element (M2) parallel to a joint direction (J) of the support plane (S) for driving the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) Touch the trailing end (13, 113) of the first band (1, 101) at the joint orientation. The joining device (3, 103) according to claim 1, wherein the joining device further includes a deflection element (7, 107) for making the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) The support element (4) is biased relative to the other parts of the second strip (2, 102). The joining device (3, 103) according to claim 2, wherein the deflection element (7, 107) can move in a deflection direction (F) that crosses or is perpendicular to the retention plane (R) and enters a deflection position , The deflection element (7, 107) at least a part of the deflection position protrudes from the retaining plane (R) toward the supporting plane (S). The joining device (3) according to claim 2, wherein the deflection element (7) is shifted and moved into the deflection position; wherein the deflection element (7) is, relative to the foregoing offset, in a direction relative to the deflection direction (F ) Moves in the withdrawal direction and enters a flush position where the deflection element (7) is flush or substantially flush with the retention plane (R). The engaging device (103) according to claim 3, wherein the engaging device (103) further comprises a deflection actuator (108) which can be operated in combination with the deflection element (107) to actively drive the deflection The movement of the element (107) in the deflection direction (F). The joining device (3, 103) according to claim 1, wherein when the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is located at the joining position, the retaining plane (R) is parallel or substantially It extends parallel to the support plane (S). The joining device (203) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (205) is positionable at an oblique joining position where the retaining plane (R) is opposite to the supporting plane (S). An oblique joint angle (A) extends and descends toward the joint line (L). The joint device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (6) is firstly used to control the relative movement (M) in the setting direction (K) to set the joint orientation The front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) contacts the support plane (S); secondly it is used to control the relative movement (M) along the joining direction (J) to drive the second The leading end (23, 123) of the strip (2, 102) touches the trailing end (13, 113) of the first strip (1, 101) in the joint orientation. The joining device (203) according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (6) controls the relative movement (M) in the setting direction (K) and the joining direction (J) simultaneously at the oblique joining angle ( A) Move the retaining element (205) along an oblique engagement path. The joint device (203) according to claim 7, wherein the oblique joint angle (A) is between 2 ° and 6 °, preferably between 2 ° and 5 °; more preferably between 3 ° and 4 °. The joining device (203) according to claim 7, wherein the retaining element (205) at the joining position is spaced apart from the support plane (S) by a minimum height (H) so that the second strip (2 ) Is in contact with the support surface (S). The joining device (203) according to claim 7, wherein the retaining element (205) can be moved from the joining position to a setting position; wherein, at the setting position, the retaining plane (R) is parallel or substantially parallel to the support The plane (S) extends. The joining device (203) according to claim 12, wherein the control unit (6) is provided for contacting the first strip (1) with the front end (23) of the second strip (2) only. After the trailing end (13), the retaining element (205) is moved from the engaging position to the setting position. The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 1, wherein the trailing end (13) of the first strip (1) and the leading end (23) of the second strip (2) include: The oblique end faces (14, 24) extend under the same or substantially the same oblique angle (B1, B2) with respect to the support plane (S) and the retention plane (R), respectively; wherein the retention element (5, 205) The relative movement (M) between the support element (4) and the support element (4) is used to offset the front end (23, 123) by the protruding distance (D1) relative to the support surface (40) and enter the joint orientation The complementary oblique end faces (14, 24) of the first band (1) and the second band (2) in the joint orientation are parallel or substantially parallel. The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 14, wherein the second strip (2) includes a top surface (11); wherein the beveled end surface (14) corresponds to the top surface (11) to form A leading edge (15); wherein the retaining element (5, 205) is used for retaining the leading edge (15) of the second strip (2) protruding from the retaining element (5, 205) along the protruding direction (E) The first protruding distance (D1). The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 15, wherein the second strip (2) includes a bottom surface (22); wherein the beveled end surface (24) corresponds to the bottom surface (22) to form a recess Edge (26); wherein the retaining element (5, 205) is used for retaining the concave edge (26) of the second strip (2) protruding from the retaining element (5, 205) along the protruding direction (E) for one The second protruding distance (D2). The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 1, wherein the first protruding distance (D1) is at least 2 millimeters (mm); preferably, at least 5 mm; more preferably, at least 10 mm. The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 16, wherein the second protruding distance (D2) is at least 1 mm; preferably, at least 3 mm; more preferably, at least 7 mm. The joining device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element (4) is movable in the joining direction (J) relative to the retaining element (5, 205); or, wherein the retaining The element (5, 205) is movable relative to the supporting element (4) in the joint direction (J). A method of joining a trailing end (13, 113) of a first strip (1, 101) and a leading end (23, 123) of a second strip (2, 102) to form a tire element, wherein the method includes : Providing a supporting plane (S) having a supporting element (4) having a supporting surface (40) and a first strip position (P1) at a side of a bonding line (L) ) Supporting the first strip (1, 101); providing a retaining element (5, 205) having a retaining surface (50) and the supporting plane (S) on the other side of the bonding line (L) A retention plane (R) extending at one of the second strip positions (P2), so that the second strip (2, 102) is retained on the retention surface (50); wherein the second strip (2, 102) Retained on the retaining surface (50) and its front end (23, 123) is along a protruding direction (E) parallel to the retaining plane (R) from the retaining element (5, 205) to the first strip position (P1) Protrude by a first protruded distance (D1); position the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) at a joint orientation, and at the joint orientation, the front end (23, 123) is compared to Other parts of the second strip (2, 102) are closer to the support plane (S); and controlling the support element A relative movement (M) between the piece (4) and the retaining element (5, 205); wherein the relative movement (M) includes: one of the setting directions (K) along one of the directions perpendicular to the support plane (S) A first element (M1) for setting the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in the engagement orientation and contacting the support plane (S); and The bonding line (L) and a second element (M2) parallel to a bonding direction (J) of a supporting plane (S) are used to drive the front end (23 of the second strip (2, 102)) , 123) contact the trailing end (13, 113) of the first band (1, 101) in the joint orientation. The method of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises: biasing the front end (23, 123) of the second band (2, 102) relative to the other parts of the second band (2, 102) toward the Supporting element (4). The method according to claim 20, wherein when the front end (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is located at the joint orientation, the retaining plane (R) is parallel or substantially parallel to the supporting plane (S )extend. The method according to claim 20, wherein the retaining element (205) is positionable at an oblique joining position, at which the retaining plane (R) is inclined at an oblique joining angle with respect to the support plane (S) (A) extends and descends toward the bonding line (L). The method according to claim 20, wherein the method further comprises: first controlling the relative movement (M) in the setting direction (K) so as to set the front end of the second band (2, 102) in the joint orientation (23, 123) and contact the support plane (S); secondly control the relative movement (M) along the joint direction (J) to drive the front end (23, 123) of the second band (2, 102) Touch the trailing end (13, 113) of the first band (1, 101) at the joint orientation. The method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises: simultaneously controlling the relative movement (M) in the set direction (K) and the joint direction (J), and along an oblique joint angle (A) The engagement path moves the retaining element (205).